Asaram's chopper violates landing norms

A chopper ferrying spiritual guru Asaram Bapu allegedly landed twice in violation of norms in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district, risking the lives of his followers who had gathered to hear his sermons, an official said on Thursday.

A chopper ferrying spiritual guru Asaram Bapu allegedly landed twice in violation of norms in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district, risking the lives of his followers who had gathered to hear his sermons, an official said on Thursday.

Pilot Yadvendra Singh of the private Karina Airlines has been served a show cause notice by sub-divisional magistrates of Amet and Nathdwara asking him why the chopper was landed in the areas yesterday without valid permission by the district administration, the Rajsamand Collector Onkar Singh told PTI.

On the request of Asaram followers, permission was granted for landing of the chopper in the specific limit and helipad area, but it was grossly violated and the chopper landed in the midst of a crowd near the camps, he said.

The district administration has taken serious note of the violation of norms as it could have led to an untoward incident, the Collector said, adding a large number of his followers were present at Amet and Nathdwara towns, 280 kms from in Jaipur.